Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Amazing what a little contrast will do. Will have video camera at the ready when this convoy pulls in.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Called Ballistic for shipping conformation and found out the parts that "were suppossed to" ship out last Friday, won't be leaving until today. :banghead:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Bummer! :no:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

I hate liars :censored:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Well...I asked the guy why I was told it would ship on Friday when in fact it didn't and his answer was that one of the arms was missing the set screw on top and he only found that out later.

Even so, they could have done/offered a couple things IMO.
1) Send me an e-mail telling me about their snafu. (at the very least)
2) Upgraded my shipping to 2nd day air to make up for the lost time.
I got neither.

D60 tech note:
FYI to those about to change out the inner axle seals, know this.
Their a huge PITA...:lol:
Both pulling and installing without 'proper' tools.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Probably doesn't help, but I have a seal puller and installer for those.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Thanks but it's all done now.
A little Yankee Engineering and the next size BFH and it was game over.

Now it's all about making the existing inner axles except the full circle clips.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Are they different from a dana 44? When everything is out they are easy to remove with a long piece of pipe. As for installing i made a tool like this one to make them easier.

http://i22.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/a3/47/de2a_1.JPG

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Similar.

That's what I used for removal, a 'long enough' piece of EMT conduit I had lying around.

I didn't have any threaded...anything big enough for the job at hand.

Nice press ya made. :cool:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Hubs & disc's all set.

Decided to tone down the ARB cover a tad too.

Nothing special but here's the latest pix:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Nice stuff there, did you install the locker? Could you give me a site for the rotors, I went back and reread your thread but didn't see anything

I'm trying to assemble my HEI, but I'm stuck on which springs to install on the mechanical advance? Any ideas, I'm thinking the lightest ones, to give me total advance rite away, but don't know...

if this is a hijack, I will delete and post it on mine

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

All the front axle parts came from here:
http://extremeaxlesales.com/contact-us.aspx

I didn't install a locker, this axle already has a limited slip in it and that's fine for now.

As for the springs in your HEI, do they you any specs telling you which springs do what?
(what RPM they reach total advance)
I've always liked the idea of matching the cam profile.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

OK on the locker, I now understand...

On the HEI I opened it up and the factory has installed the lightest springs...curve start 400,engine RPM total 1600. I think I opened a can of worms with this stuff, as I have no idea what I'm doing. There is a thread/FAQ on the pickup side I will be reading and trying to understand in the next couple days. My head hurts already, and I haven't even thought about cam profile. Is there an easy way out???

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Sure, leave things alone until you get it running, from there start the 'real world' testing.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Mounted the HEI in the motor this morning, get motor running and set up for the road. I plan to run manifold vacuum, OK?...sounds like a plan

Thanks for the link

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Front end looks awesome. Are you putting a Detroit locker in the rear or did i miss that somewhere?




Hopefully you don't have an adjustable vacuum advance on your HEI. Just 1 more thing you have to mess with to get it dialed in right.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Already has a Detroit in it from the factory. :cool:

The axle set is from an '86 CUCV truck.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Kurt,

I was curious about something,

How many gallons per mile?

Looking Sweet :cool:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Craig, I think it will surprise a lot of people, maybe you the most with that 'gallons per mile' shot.

Just guessing, I'll throw out...12 to 15 mpg at least, possibly better.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

NAP

Ask for Doug, real decent guy to deal with.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

WOW, that is good, I didn't get that in "GQ" with 3.08's :lol:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

GQ didn't have overdrive. ;)

Quick edit:

Overdrive isn't what 'makes' good fuel economy, it only lends to the options of gearing.

That being the case, GQ had 35's w/3:08's, a great highway gear combo but a really/really poor 'around town set up, that's where you paid dearly for the MPG you got.

Having overdrive allows for a much higher number gearing (4:11's/4:46's etc)
So...with the 4:56's getting the big pig rolling is easier and with the 30% overdrive and a locked up torque converter from the 700r, highway RPM's are going to be right around the 2K mark @ 65mph giving the small block a chance to 'relax' a little.

:but: I realize you already knew all that stuff and were just busting on my blazer balls in the first place. ;) :lol:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Also, the 700R4 has a steeper first gear, which will get the pig rolling easier.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

WOW, I didn't realize "GQ" ever made it out of the garage and onto the road.:lol::lol::lol: Shoulda got real good mileage with it sittin' for so long, lol....

Just teasin'. Hope this next project works out better.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

:Own:



:jest:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Ouch...that's gonna leave a mark!

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

I took a 3 mile cruise in GQ about 2 years ago. I made a big mistake when I didn't buy it when I had a chance. Spilled milk, just move on and see what happens down the road.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Okay, still waiting on the Ballistic arms to get here. :cuss:

Axles are done, hubs are done...all I wanna do is get this thing finished and back under the blazer. :banghead: :rolleyes: :lol:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Decided to move ahead without the arms.

Called Ballistic on Friday again and the parts still hadn't even shipped out, so I did everything else and will install the arms when they finally get here.

Turned out to be a pretty fun rebuild, should last a good long time.

It's a decent D60, 35slpine outer stub shafts, Warn premium lockouts, limited slip in the diff & all the innards are now happy. :lol:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Progress...Cool!

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Lookin Good!! I hope them arms are worth the wait. I was planning on getting a pair later but maybe i should order them now. Maybe then i'd have them by the time i'm ready to use them.;)

Jason

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

To be fair, I think there was some sort of 'goof up' within their system, I don't believe this is the norm, I've heard their generally really good about getting product out but who really knows, certainly didn't work that way in my case.

Guess I better clean up that McUgly tie rod, huh? :rolleyes:

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Wow look how much U-bolt ya got left. You should toss some 4" blocks in there and get it up some more.:metal::lol::lol::lol: What color ya paintin' the tie rod? Orange, grey, or black?

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

I didn't want to say it, but since you brought it up. Yes, clean it up while you're waiting for parts:lol:...Rest of it looks sweet tho

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

When I had the U-bolts made up, I asked em to add an inch in total, just incase I run a thicker spring pack.
Problem is, I'm not sure they threaded them low enough.

Tie Rod color...? Guess I had that one coming didn't I? :lol:

Still on the cuff about just doing a high steer now...dunno yet.
Don't really care for the way the T/R covers up my bling-bling cover ya know.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

I noticed that, hopefully you can make it work and not have to buy new ones. As for the color I was serious but now that ya mention it, thats pretty funny... How about purple.:lol: .

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

When I spoke to Ballistic on Fri and they told me the parts still hadn't shipped, I asked them if they'd ship em out 2nd day air for me since they were so late and he said okay.

Well he did what he said, they arrived today.

Turns out the TR ends on my cross over are larger, might be able to get the one end machined out hopefully.

Also turns out that the factory TR has the correct ends, so if I can get enough adjustment out of it, I can use it and I get my high steer too.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

I'm assuming that the new drag link connects to the box and the old one is connecting the knuckles. Other than the obvious, the draglink is no longer hanging out front and subject to damage.. Is the way you are doing your steering make the truck drive better?

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

Correct, The newer looking rod/bar (drag link) goes from a 2wd steering box and crosses over to the passenger side knuckle which now has a steering arm.

The cross over set up is what will make it drive better, the high steer is a side benefit.

Re: Building a Blazer - vtblazer's Way
 

would I see much of a benefit with crossover and 33 inch tires?